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1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 132 of 583 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports39 fire reports22 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

102 reports
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49,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO: WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES FOR NO REASON, CD PLAYER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES HAYWIRE AND WE LOSE THE GAUGES AND MILEAGE, POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIR CONDIT…

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VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO: WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES FOR NO REASON, CD PLAYER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES HAYWIRE AND WE LOSE THE GAUGES AND MILEAGE, POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIR CONDITIONER ODOR AND FAN PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES COOL AIR SOMETIMES NOT AND THE LIST GOES ON. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047162

70,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VAN LUNGED FORWARD. THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE'S FRONT CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THIS CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED A DEFECT PER MECHANIC(S). THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN THIS MAKE/MODEL FOR SOME TIME AND HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO HELP…

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WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VAN LUNGED FORWARD. THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE'S FRONT CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THIS CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED A DEFECT PER MECHANIC(S). THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN THIS MAKE/MODEL FOR SOME TIME AND HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO HELP GIVEN BY THE DEALER. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044294

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS MAKING NOISE. WAS TOLD IT WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER REPLACED BELT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SAME DAY DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALE…

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1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS MAKING NOISE. WAS TOLD IT WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER REPLACED BELT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SAME DAY DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER CHECKED WITH CHRYSLER ON FIXES. INSTALLED A CLIP. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO SOLVE MY PROBLEMS. NO HEAVY RAIN FOR A WHILE. THEN, DROVE MY CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL THEY COULD DO. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR INTO PUDDLES. WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. STATED TO THE DEALER, THAT I DROVE THROUGH PUDDLES WITH NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HAVE A ANSWER FOR ME, AGAIN THEY SAID "YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IN PUDDLES". I ASKED IF I CANNOT DRIVE IN PUDDLES WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. THEY SAID TURN AROUND AND FIND A DIFFERENT ROUTE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. WHAT IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY? SHOULD I TURN AROUND? I'VE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO OWNS A CARAVAN THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045087

49,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF WHEN WATER GETS ON IT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND AM CONCERNED THAT MY FAMILYS' SAFETY WILL BE IN JEPARDY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES TO US AND I FEEL THIS WARRANTS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10043825

89,122 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, TENSIONER ASSEMBLY FAILED, HORN WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE WATER PUMP LEAKED. AS CORRECTIONS, ALL DEFECTIVE COMPONETS WERE REPLACED. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10029509

75,100 miles · Jun 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT, THE SERPENTINE BELT REGULARLY SLIPS OFF WHEN SPLASHED WITH WATER. - CAME OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. - DEALER TRIED REPLACING TENSIONER (WHICH I HAD REPLACED 6 MONTHS EARLIER) - NO LUCK - WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO SOLVE WITH DEALER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023975

68,600 miles · Jan 31, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L V6, HAD THE BELT TENSIONER SHEAR OFF/COME APART AT 35,000 MILES. THEN AT 68,000 (33,000 LATER) IT WENT BAD, IT FROZE UP. THIS CAUSED THE BELT TO CRACK ALSO. SO THE TENSIONER AND BELT WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM HAVE THESE TENSIONERS BEEN? SHOULD I EXPECT THEM TO LAST O…

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MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L V6, HAD THE BELT TENSIONER SHEAR OFF/COME APART AT 35,000 MILES. THEN AT 68,000 (33,000 LATER) IT WENT BAD, IT FROZE UP. THIS CAUSED THE BELT TO CRACK ALSO. SO THE TENSIONER AND BELT WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM HAVE THESE TENSIONERS BEEN? SHOULD I EXPECT THEM TO LAST ONLY 30,000 TO 36,000 MILES?

NHTSA ODI #10005023

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10004766

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF DURING WET WEATHER, MAKING MINIVAN VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI #10003486

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE HAD THE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE I OWEND THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF WARPPING.THE THIRD TIME I WROTE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY TOLD US THAT THE PART HAS MEET DODGES WARRENTY REQUIREMENTS.THAY WAS SORRY BUT NOTHING THAY COULD DO.I THANK THE IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE YOUR PO…

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I HAVE HAD THE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE I OWEND THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF WARPPING.THE THIRD TIME I WROTE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY TOLD US THAT THE PART HAS MEET DODGES WARRENTY REQUIREMENTS.THAY WAS SORRY BUT NOTHING THAY COULD DO.I THANK THE IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING.WHICH COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT. PLUS THE WIPPERS COME ON BY THEM SELF OR WHEN YOU PUT ON THE TURNLIGHT ON.THIS HAS BE GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10003095

Official recalls

5

02V293000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V185000 · Child Seat

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.

97V200000 · Tires:bead

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.

96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 29, 1996

THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

No summary supplied.

PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

There is no summary currently available

EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat

ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.